Transforming Food Waste into Living Soil
Hay-on-Wye, Wales – Hay Regenerative Soils CIC is thrilled to announce the expansion of our community composting initiative, thanks to support from Hay Castle, and funding from the Brecon Beacons Local Nature Partnership. The new community composting site at Hay Castle will compost the Castle’s food waste and provide residents, businesses, and growers with an accessible, sustainable way to recycle food waste into biologically rich compost. This plate to garden model means local regeneration in gardens, allotments, and on farm land. This initiative marks a significant step towards a truly circular economy for Hay-on-Wye, where waste is transformed into a local resource, regenerating soil health while reducing landfill waste and carbon emissions with our e-bike powered collection service.
“So much of our health is tied to the unseen world of bacteria and fungi,” says Hay Regenerative Soils CIC. “Understanding how the Soil Food Web interacts with our own gut microbiome reveals the incredible benefits of partnering with microbial biodiversity to heal the soil, grow food, and counter decades of damage from farming intensification.” Healthy soil is the foundation of thriving ecosystems, food security, climate resilience, and our own wellbeing. By composting locally, we will be working with farmers, growers, and gardeners to restore soil biodiversity, support carbon sequestration, and enhance plant resilience, all while cutting food waste and Hay-on-Wye’s carbon footprint.
Our new Hay Castle Community Composting Hub will:
- Offer a weekly food waste drop-off point for individuals and small households
- Provide a monthly food waste collection service for local residents
- Support local businesses and events with a food waste pickup service
- Deliver regenerative compost back to members every spring
- Run workshops and educational sessions on soil health and composting
This initiative is not just about waste reduction; it’s about regenerating the land, creating a local resource and new circular economy, and fostering a direct relationship between people and nature.
How It Works
Our membership model ensures that food waste stays within the community, cycling back as high-quality compost to all participating members. Options include:
- £6 per month – Weekly food waste drop-off at Hay Castle
- £12.50 per month – Monthly home collection service (Hay-on-Wye residents only)
- Free Slots for low-income and disabled residents
Get Involved
Join us for our upcoming event Launch Day and Induction Events on Thursday 24th April + Saturday 26th April: 10am – 4pm at Hay Castle.
Celebrate the official opening of the composting site with a food waste offering, learn about our mission, and get inducted as a new member.
Funded by the Brecon Beacons Local Nature Partnership
This project is made possible through the Brecon Beacons Local Nature Partnership’s Connector Grant Programme, part of the wider Local Places for Nature initiative. The programme aims to create, restore, and connect “Gateways to Nature,” allowing communities to access and enhance local green spaces. Nature’s resilience depends on connectivity—both in how ecosystems function and how people interact with their natural environment. This composting hub is a direct response to that principle, offering both environmental benefits and a tangible way for people to engage with regenerative practices.
For more information, membership details, or to get involved, contact: Hay Regenerative Soils CIC
Email: hayigotworms@gmail.com
Phone: 07843825023
Website: www.haywegotworms.bigcartel.com
